Miniature rose plant named `Ruiprett`

ABSTRACT

A distinctive cultivar of miniature rose plant named `Ruiprett`, characterized by its large bright pink flowers; medium green leaves; strong rooting habit; and excellent postproduction longevity and garden performance.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of the miniature rose class, botanically known as Rosa hybrida, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Ruiprett. The new cultivar will be marketed under the trade name Pretty Cupido.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Hazerswoude, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was to develop compact pot rose varieties with novel and attractive flower colors and excellent postproduction longevity and garden performance. The new cultivar originated from a cross made by the inventor in 1992 of two unnamed proprietary seedlings. The cultivar Ruiprett was discovered and selected by the inventor as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Hazerswoude, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cuttings taken at Hazerswoude, The Netherlands, has shown that the unique features of this new miniature rose plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of `Ruiprett`. These characteristics in combination distinguish the new miniature rose plant as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Large bright pink flowers.

2. Medium green leaves.

3. Strong rooting habit.

4. Execellent postproduction longevity.

5. Excellent garden performance.

The new miniature rose plant has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature and light level, without, however, any variance in genotype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate typical specimens of the vegetative growth and flowers of the new miniature rose plant, showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

The photograph on the first sheet comprises a top perspective view of a typical plant of the new miniature rose plant grown in Hazerswoude, The Netherlands.

The photograph on the second sheet comprises details of the new miniature rose plant. In this photograph the apex of a young shoot (1); a leaf with three leaflets (2); a leaf with five leaflets (3); a leaf with seven leaflets (4); a stem without leaves (5); a flower bud after sepals open (6); a flower bud after petals begin to unfurl (7); a flower one-half open (8); and a flower fully open (9) are shown. Flower and foliage color in these photographs may appear different from the actual colors due to light reflectance.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements, values, and comparisons describe plants grown in Hazerswoude, The Netherlands, under glass covering with average day temperatures of 20° C., average night temperatures of 16 to 18° C., and an average light level of 2,000 J/cm².

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

Classification:

Botanical.--Rose hybrida cultivar Ruiprett.

Commercial.--Miniature pot rose.

Parentage:

Male or pollen parent.--Unnamed proprietary seedling.

Female or seed parent.--Unnamed proprietary seedling.

Propagation:

Type.--Terminal or stem cuttings.

Time to rooting.--8 to 10 days with soil temperatures of 20° C.

Rooting habit.--Propagates easily, roots strong and well-branched.

Plant description:

Form.--Rounded form, uniform, and spreading.

Growth habit.--Moderately vigorous, yet compact. Freely branching and dense growth. Suitable for 10-cm and larger containers. Time to produce a finished plant in a 10-cm container about 20 to 25 cm in height and about 20 to 25 cm in width is generally 10 to 12 weeks depending on average temperature, light level, and cultural practices.

Stem and lateral branches.--Quantity of lateral branches from pinching: Typically three. Length of lateral branches: 1 to 5 cm. Diameter of lateral branches: About 1 mm. Internode length: 0.5 to 1.2 cm. Color: 143B.

Foliage description.--Leaves arranged alternately, compound with three to seven leaflets per leaf, generally symmetrical, abundant, and flat in aspect. Stipules at petiole base. Quanity of leaves: Five to eight per lateral branch. Leaflet length: 1.8 to 2.5 cm. Leaflet width: 1.2 to 1.6 cm. Shape: Ovate with acute apex and obtuse base. Margin: Serrate. Texture: Smooth and leathery. Petiole length: About 1.5 cm. Petiole diameter: About 1 mm. Color: Young foliage, upper side: 144B. Young foliage, under side: 144C. Mature foliage, upper side: 137B. Mature foliage, upper side: 138B. Petiole: 144B.

Prickles.--Sparse. Length: About 5 mm. Color: 145A.

Flower description:

Flower type and habit.--Large bright pink flowers. Consistently symmetrical rosette flowers that are flat in aspect. Freely and continuously flowering. The flowers are borne singly on peduncles and arranged in clusters of up to four each. Petals persistent.

Flowering season.--Year-round under greenhouse conditions, optimal flowering from spring through autumn under garden conditions.

Flower diameter.--2.8 to 3.5 cm.

Flower depth (height).--0.5 to 1 cm.

Flower longevity on plant.--About 12 days.

Fragrance.--Absent.

Flower buds.--Shape: Ovate. Length: About 1.5 cm. Diameter: About 5 mm. Color: 143B with narrow 61B edge.

Petals.--Quantity: About 25 per flower. Typically about five rows with five petals each. Length: 1.2 to 2.4 cm. Width: 0.5 to 2 cm. Shape: Ovate with acute to pointed apex. Margin: Entire. Texture: Smooth and satiny. Color: Upper side, when opening: 61D with 2D at base. Under side, when opening: 61C with 2D at base. Upper side, fully opened: 62A to 62D with 2D base. Under side, fully opened: 61D with 2D at base. Fade: 65A.

Petaloids.--Quantity: About 10 per flower. Arrangement: About two rows of petals with five petaloids each. Length: 0.4 to 1.3 cm. Width: 2 to 4 mm. Margin: Entire. Texture: Smooth and satiny. Color: Immature: 61D with 2D at apex. Mature: 62A with 2D at apex.

Sepals.--Quantity: Typically five per flower. Shape: Narrowly ovate with acute tip. Texture: Pubescent. Color: Upper side: 143C. Under side: 143B.

Calyx.--Length: About 4 mm. Diameter: About 4 mm. Shape: Funnel.

Peduncles.--Strength: High. Aspect: Erect. Length: 2.5 to 4 cm. Color: 143B.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: Quantity: 35 to 55 per flower. Anther size: About 1 mm. Anther shape: Oblong. Anther color: 187A. Pistils: Quantity: 35 to 45 per flower. Style length: About 4 mm. Style color: 145C with 66B.

Disease resistance: Plants appear to be relatively tolerant to Powdery Mildew.

Seed production: Seed production is rarely observed. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct miniature rose plant named `Ruiprett`, as illustrated and described. 